Lamine Kone is due back at Sunderland for training on Wednesday amid reports he could be heading for Everton in a big-money switch.
Press Association Sport reported the 27-year-old central defender has been on Merseyside -- a photograph of him posing with a Toffees fan has emerged in the last 24 hours -- with a view to pushing through an £18 million switch.
Everton sold John Stones to Manchester City in a British record £47.5 million transfer for a defender on Tuesday, and have reportedly agreed a fee with Swansea for Ashley Williams.